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Monday, August 19, 2013

Underage Drinking Can Lead To Serious Troubles Down The Road

Dear Tazi:

I think my big brother might have a drinking problem. He
always has a water bottle full of some kind of clear liquid, but I don’t think
it’s water because after drinking it his mood changes. Some days he gets very
laid back and other times he gets goofy or moody. One time he left his water
bottle out of the counter and I grabbed it to taste what was in it and he
caught me and yelled at me to leave his stuff alone.

I have asked “Bradley” if he has ‘shine in his water bottle
but he just made a mean face at me and said “wouldn’t you like to know”.
Actually, I would, and not because I want to drink it (I don’t) but because I
don’t like his mood when he drinks whatever is in that water bottle. I am only
14 but Bradley is 18. He is old enough to get in trouble if the Sherriff
catches him out in public acting like he does around the house when he is
drinking (at least, I THINK he is drinking).

My parents are divorced and Mom works a lot to take care of
us, so she isn’t home much. The owner of the local diner told me that as soon
as I can get my working papers I can have a job waitressing so I can help Mom
with the bills and stuff, and I want to but I think that Bradley should be
helping, too! He doesn’t work (he says he is looking) so I don’t know where he
would get the money to buy hooch which is why I am not certain he has a
drinking problem. I think if he has a drinking problem this could be why he
can’t find a job.

I want to tell my Mom what I think but I also don’t want to
add to her burdens and plus I have no proof that Bradley is drinking. What
would you do, Tazi? I have tried to ask myself what would Jesus do but he
hasn’t been answering me.

Signed,

Kentucky Girl

Dear Kentucky Girl:

You sound like a very mature young lady to want to make life
easier for your Mom, but you can do that by staying in school; getting good
grades; and working part-time if the first two things on this list allow for
it. You may not want to add to your Mom’s burdens, but how burdened do you
think she will feel if your brother gets in trouble with the law for his
behavior?

That's how them Duke boys got into trouble!

It is possible that Bradley is not drinking alcohol (moonshine, hooch) and that
he simply has an energy drink with very high caffeine content; too much
caffeine can affect a person’s mood in the way you have described – making them
silly, moody, or laid back. Judging by Bradley’s reaction when he caught you
with his water bottle it is quite possible he is drinking something he
shouldn't.

You are right in thinking that a drinking problem can keep
someone from getting a job, and it would be a shame to see someone as young as
your brother waste his life on alcohol. I know it will take a lot of course,
but you need to tell your Mom or another trusted adult about your brother’s
behavior. If he does not have the money to buy ‘shine, he may be doing a favor
for the person who is making it. If this is the case, he will be in much more
trouble than he would be for public drunkenness; illegal manufacture of alcohol
(which is what moonshine is) is a Federal crime. Sometimes telling on others is
in their best interest.

Snuggles,

Tazi

P.S. Jesus always answers us; we just don't always like His answers!

Ask Tazi! is ghostwritten by a human with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications. Tazi-Kat is not really a talking feline.